Community Games still holds a special attraction for the children of this area
IN 1970 Peter Cooney and Eddie Waters travelled with Fr. Donnelly to Gormanstown to learn about this new festival of sport called Community Games!
They returned to Sligo and in 1971 the first Coolera Area games were held in Peter Cooney’s field in Ransboro. It was the first real opportunity for younger children to be able to compete in all sorts of sports and other activities.
Peter or Petey as he was known went on to become Area secretary and held that position for 40 years. Eddie Watters along with another recruit of the time Leo Watters are still involved to this day with Leo holding the position of Chairman for over 40 years. Eddie has not only been a key volunteer and committee member in the Area but has refereed at National level on a number of occasions.
The Coolera Area encompasses the townlands of Strandhill and Ransboro. The Area has had lots of success Nationally over the years but special mention to our Gold medal winners : Sandra Finan, Adrian Hampson ( Athletics), Fiona Joyce ( Art), Damian Gildea, U14 relay: Mark Ruanne, Aidan Kelly, Sebastian Schiuphein, Ross Gildea, Damhan McFadden, Kieran Prior ( long Puck) and Zak Irwin ( athletics). Zak went on to represent Ireland at Schools and Junior level.
Community Games still holds a special attraction for the children of this area and the very active and enthusiastic group of volunteers of today will ensure that the Community Games nurtured by Petey, Eddie and Leo and all the other volunteers over the years will continue for another number of years.